Apparatus for placing gravel in wells



Sept. 17, 19.35. L. A. LAYNE APPARATUS FOR PLACING GRAVEL IN WELLS 4 Sheets-Sheet l 4m 4 2 m 5 5 o NL 49/ m 4 W. T I 6 3 L an 6 a. m 5 Q. L .1 .fi \3 w L 5 l w/ 6 2 2 7 J 5 8 5 4 2 D H. E .g w nuzflj int) a H W \.V\-\\ 0 0 3 Ii-I l.. 7 2 3 J A 2 Z Sept. 17,1935. ,A LA NE 2,014,770

APPARATUS FOR PLACING GRAVEL IN WELLS Fiied June 4, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 V INVENTOR. LII 5L lE/LLA /VE 1 abimflw ATTORNEY6.

Sept. 17, 1935. L. A. LAYNE 2,014,770

APPARATUS FOR PLACING GRAVEL IN'WELLS Filed June 4, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

LESL/EALAVNE 6PM -rielzw ATTORNEYJ Patented Sept. 17, 1935 i rice PATENT'O 2,014,770 APPARATUS FOR PLACING GRAVEL IN WELLS Leslie A. Laynfiionsmn, Tex.

Application June 4, 1934, Serial No. 729,026

The invention relates to an improvement in the apparatus for positioning gravel about the screen in a well bore in order to accomplish a filtering of the liquid before it enters the strainer.

' method of placing divided materials at relatively inaccessible points and it is intended that this application will take the benefit of the filing date of this prior co-pending application as, to all common subject-matter and is a continuation in part of the former application in so far as the subject-matter of Figs. 8 to 12 of the present apparatus is concerned.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide devices to be located in the well bore so that the gravel or divided material may be discharged around the outside of the screen member in the desired position in order to form a filter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly of piping in the well bore whereby the divided material can be conveyed into the well by a liquid stream and the divided material separated from the liquid at the desired location.

Still another object oi the invention is to provide a casing having an outlet in the side thereof through which the divided material may be discharged.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a circulating system in the well bore whereby divided material may be located adjacent the well strainer.

Other and further objects of the invention will be readily apparent when the following description is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of one form of apparatus disclosing the well bore in section with the gravel being deposited.

Fig. 2 shows a broken sectional detailed view of I an apparatus for discharging the divided material 'rnto the liquid stream to be carried into the well.

Fig. 3 shows a broken sectional view in detail of a form of the piping in thewell for discharging the divided material.

Figures 4 and 5 are sections taken on the lines 4-4 and 5-4: of Fig. 3 respectively.

Fig. 8 is a partly sectioned diagrammatic view- (Cll. 166-1) showing a simple apparatus by means of which the invention may be carried out.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross section on the plane represented by the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a cross section on the plane repre- 5 sented by the line iii-l0 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig.6 but illustrating a modified structure by means of which my invention can be practiced.

Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line i2-'-i2 of 10 Fig. 11. 1

Several forms of the structure have been shown and will be described in detail, reference being had, however, to Figures 8 to 10 inclusive wherein a simple form of the invention has been shown.

Each form of apparatus that I have shown includes essentially the three following elements, first, a transfer piping system iii, through which fluid under pressure and at a required, comparatively high, velocity is conducted from a point of 20 I feeding to a point of application; second, a

means such as a pump H2 for moving a fluid through the transfer piping system Hi under pressure and at the required velocity;- and third, a pressure feeder H3 for adding the divided 25 material to the flow of fluid passing through the transfer piping. system in such proportions or quantities as may be readily and positively transported to the point or area of application in which use thereof is desired. The transfer piping ill may include, as shown in'Fig. 8 of the drawings, a pipe 4 extending from the pump M2 to a T HE, piping 6 having a valve i ill therein, the outer portion 8 of an outlet pipe lit, gate valve Ht, horizontal pipe portion I2 I, a flexible hose member I22, and transfer piping I23 which is connected to the flexible hose I22 through an elbow HM, andas indicated at I25, is supported by suitable elevator and tackle mechanism in position to extend down outside a 40 casing or development pipe i26.within a well I21. The pump H2 may be of any type capable of developing a pressure sufiicient to accomplish the result to be hereinafter set forth.

The feeder I I3 may be embodied in such simple form of apparatus as shown in Figure 8, consisting of a container F28, disposed in convenient position relative to the accessible end of the transfer piping system Hi, this container having a filling port I29 equipped with a cover I30 which may be closed substantially tightly against the pressure under which the system is operated.

The outlet pipe 9 projects from the lower r end of the container I28 and as shown at I3! is connected to abend in the end of the piping us which is directed outwardly with respect to the outlet pipe H9 so as to direct the fluid into the pipe H8 in the most favorable direction. Communicating with pump H2, through a pipe I32 which leads into the T H5, is a nozzle pipe I33 having a valve I34 therein, which projects into the container I28, this nozzle pipe I33 having the primary function of feeding fluid to the container I28, and the secondary function of agitating such material or materials as may be contained within the container I28 and assisting in the feeding of such material from the lower portion of the container I28, through the outlet pipe H9 into the transfer piping system III.

As the divided material is agitated by the discharge in the container I28 from the pipe I33 there will be a uniform flow of liquid and gravel through the pipe I I9. In other words each particle of gravel will be spaced from every other particle.

At I36 is indicated what I have termed a production formation or production area from which valuable fluid products such as water or oil are obtained from wells. For the purpose of removing these fluid products, and at the same time holding back the sand formations so as to prevent cavitation and consequent destruction of the well, it is customary to provide a well screen I 31, which is secured to the well casing I26 in the position necessary to place the screen within the production area I36 when the well casing and screen are lowered into the well. As previously herein mentioned, it has been the customary practice to pour gravel into the annular space I38 existing within the well I21 around the casing I26, expecting that this gravel may be eventually worked down to its proper position of utility surrounding the screen I31, as indicated by the body of gravel I40. Such an operation is diflicult and uncertain so that the present apparatus has been devised to insure the proper positioning of the gravel.

The present invention, as will be recognized from the following description of the transferring operation which my invention makes possible, enables the placing of the gravel I40 exactly at the desired point of application, produces a more even placement of the body of gravel around the screen I31, and produces a body of gravel of greater diameter than is ordinarily possible by use of other methods. The production formation I36 is first cavitated or washed out around the screen I31 so as to provide an annular chamber I4I surrounding the screen I31 and adapted'to receive the gravel body I40. The delivery of the the important features because it prevents mixture of undesirable materials with the body of ravel I40.

With the transfer pir ng I23 in place in the well 521 outside the casing I26 as seen in Fig. 8 and with the lower end I44 thereof projecting to or down into the production formation, and with the container I28 of the feeder II3 having been filled with gravehfluid such as water is directed through piping I32. The valve I35 may be opened as desired to direct part or all of the water through piping I42 to the pipe I2I, and then on through the transfer piping system III as indicated by the arrow I43. This water will be delivered at relatively high velocity from the lower end I44 into the production area I36 surrounding the screen I31. This introduction of water around the screen at high velocity tends to wash sand from around the screen so that it is strained through the screen slots I45 into the interior of the screen I31, and the cavitation or space MI is thus formed.

The material which is heaviest will separate out of the carrier liquid and settle around the screen because of the decrease in velocity of the liquid as it discharges from the pipe I44, and also because the liquid then passes into the screen or strainer. Where the graveling action is being performed on a well which is not flowing upwardly through the casing at the required high velocity to carry sand out of the well, a pump may be employed to produce an upward flow of liquid through the casing I26 and out the upper end thereof, such as will be of sufficient velocity to carry 01f sand or other fine substances which may be washed through the screen I31 after it has been loosened from the production formation I36 by an application of liquid under pressure from the-nozzle end I44 of the transfer piping I23. When a cavity of the desired size has been formed the valves of the apparatus will be manipulated to direct the gravel into the cavity.

The flow of water can be diverted from the piping I42 to the piping H6, by opening valves H1 and I20 while closing valve I35, or the flow may be divided between the piping I42 and I I6 to any desired proportions by suitable adjustment of the valves II 1 and I35, the gate I20 at this time being opened. Opening of the valve I34 allows the necessary amount of water to enter the container I28, permeating the body of divided material therein. Because the container I23 is closed this flow of water creates a pressure in the container and also agitates the material so that on discharging from the container the liquid carries with it through the outlet pipe I I9 quantities of the divided material in spaced relation which are thus delivered 'under pressure to the water flowing through the transfer piping system III.

As a secondary utility, the introduction of water through the nozzle pipe I33 under pressure into the interior of the container I28, produces an agitation at the lower portion of the container which results in producing a more. complete mechanical mixture of the divided materials and the water in said container, the outflow of water from said container through the outlet piping I I8, being at relatively high velocity and naturally carrying therewith divided materials and adding such divided materials to the water flowing under pressure through the transfer piping system II I, the water being pumped at such velocity that settlement of the solid materials in the system and the consequent clogging thereof is prevented. However, the nozzle arrangement I33 is not essential as any other suitable inlet to the tank I28 .for the fluid under pressure could be utilized,

such for example, as the valve pipe I33a at the top. Nevertheless, the nozzle I33 has certain advantages because it may serve to assist in the withdrawal of the mixture of water and divided materials from the interior of the container I28 because of the agitation whichit will produce in the vicinity of the outlet pipe II 8.

It is desirable, but not necessary, to place the nozzle pipe I33 in a position substantially aligned with the outlet pipe H9, as shown in Fig. 9, so that the flow of water from the nozzle pipe will also act to assist in the ejection of divided materials from the container I28. The result of the foregoing action is to deliver the divided .solid 7 tion in the well.

materials, in this instance gravel, with a flow of fluid under pressure and traveling at a relatively high velocity, into the area of application, and thereby to attain the valuable results hereinbefore specified. In this connection I desire to call attention to the fact that all changes of direction in the transfer piping III are accomplished bymeans of gradually curved portions such as the elbow I24 so that no clogging can occur as would be encountered were sharply angled turns to be employed. Furthermore, the discharge from the system III takes place through a straight end I44. These points are important to successful employment of the invention because without use of this type of equipment the divided material would quickly clog the system.

The simple form of pump with which I illustrate a method of washing a screen which has been set in a well and of cavitation of the wells of a production formation, by the delivery of a fluid at high velocity and pressure into such formation externally of the screen and placing a suction within the screen so as to cause the removal of fine materials through the screen and subsequently out through the casing, is shown in the form of an air lift nozzle I46 secured to the lower end of air lift piping I41 equipped with a valve I48 at its upper end for the purpose of controlling the flow of air therethrough. Practice of the invention is not to be limited to the. use of an air lift method of pumping, since any other suitable type of lift device could be used.

instead. While the pump and gravel mixer are here shown and described they are claimed in my copending application Serial No. 729,025, filed June 4, 1934 while the present application is directed to the structure positioned in the well. In Figs. 11 and 12 I have shown a somewhat different means by which my invention may be practiced. In these figures the casing I250 is provided with a longitudinally extending opening I49 having an overhanging apron I50 which protects the opening from materials which may be dislodged in the well. Such an apron can be conveniently made by cutting a pipe of suitable diameter on the required angle and welding the section so produced to the casing I26a in proper position over the opening I49. The lower end II of the apron is preferably of circular cross section as shown.

As illustrated in Fig. 11 the opening I49 is located so as to bring the outlet end l5I of the apron adjacent the production formation I36 and preferably near the upper portion thereof so that the discharge end I440. of the transfer piping I231; can be directed to the proper area in the well. The tip I52 on the lower end MM is cut at an angle in order to facilitate its entrance into the opening I49 but discharge takes place in a substantial straight line as with the construction of Fig. 8, so that no clogging can occur.

The piping is handled as before by means of suitable tackle mechanism- I25 and at a suitable location near the lower end the pipe I230, is provided with the spring I53 which, by reacting against the inner. wall of, the casing 126a,, forces the end of the pipe I52 into the opening I49, the opening being located by slowly rotating the pipe after lowering it to the proper posi- With this form of the invention the discharge pipe is passed down through the casing while in Fig. 8 this pipe is lowered outside of the casing. This form of the inven- -application instead of being allowed to seek its tures of the invention is to provide for the transtion is more particularly adapted for deep wells. f

If necessary an upward flow may be produced by means of the air pump nozzle I46a as before described, although in the showing of Fig. 11 the 5 upper end of the well pipe or casing I26a is closed by a cap I54 having a valve controlled outlet I55 and a valve controlled inlet I55. Where diificulty is experienced in removing sand or other undesired material from the zone where the gravel is being applied, the outlet I55 can be closed and water or other fluid introduced through the inlet I55 in order to cause a reverse or downward flow through the casing I26a, with the result that the water in the lower part of the casing willbe forced outwai'dly through the slots I45 to loosen any material which may have accumulated to clog the strainer I31 and thence upwardly through the well bore outside of the casing I26a. By intermittently reversing the flow in this manner undesired material, such as sand from the formation I36, which occasionally is removed with dimculty, can be withdrawn quite readily either through the well bore or the casing so as not to interfere with the proper I placing of the gravel.

It will be seen that I have developed an apparatus for. rapidly, efliciently and satisfactorily placing divided material at relatively inaccessible points which, of course, is peculiarly fitted for use in connection with wells. For best results the flow of liquid through the transfer piping must be at relatively high speed and under considerable pressure, the velocity, in fact, being sufficiently great to keep the divided material at all times in suspension, as it were, so that it is always positively carried to the point of way down under the influence of gravity alone. The piping I23, I230. should be of comparatively small size in order to insure the maintenance of the proper velocity and pressure all the way down and all bends or turns should be very gradual and discharge should take place in as v nearly a straight line as possible. Without observing these conditions difliculties may be encountered because of clogging. I

As will be apparent, one of the essential fea- Q fer of the divided material to the proper location and the separation of the divided material from the carrier liquid and finer particles with the removal of the latter materials at the proper ratio so that the divided material remains at the desired location.

In carrying out the method, the outlet end I44, Y I44a of the transfer piping can, of course, be lowered as far as may be desirable into the formation I36 and then gradually retracted as the graveling fills up the opening I4! and it should so be noted that there is no restriction or obstruction adjacent the end of thispipe. Thus the gravel may be discharged at the same velocity it was traveling through the transfer piping.

' Once the actual operation of depositing the'cs gravel is begun it should not be interrupted because gravel always carries with it a certain per-- centage of sand or very fine particles (sometimes quite a large percentage) and when the flow stops for any reason the material in the pipe, of course, will fall by gravity, the heavier and larger particles accumulating at the bottom and the finer particles above them because they are lighter and the water more greatly retards or resists their fall than it does that of the larger particles. This accumulation of sand may form a plug in the line which it is practically impossible to dislodge except by withdrawing the pipe and cleaning it out.

Fig. 1 shows another form of the invention which is somewhat similar to the Fig. 11 modification but the apparatus on the surface is slightly modified over that shown in Fig. 8.

A conventional pump is shown at 54 and is provided with an equalizing chamber 54a from which the discharge pipe 55 leads to the transfer piping system 25. A valve 56 is positioned in the line 55 to control the volume of liquid discharging into the pipe 53. The pipe 53 passes beneath the container 51 for the gravel or other divided material which is placed in the container by removing the cover or cap 58.

Fig. 2 shows a feed screw 59 enclosed in the housing 58 so that the divided material from the container 51 will be conveyed into the pipe 53 through the opening 62. It will be noted that the housing 58 and the screw 59 gradually increase in size so that there will be a uniform advancement of the divided material through the passage 60 into the pipe 53. 62 indicates the opening into the pipe 53. The screw 59 is driven by a suitable source of power, such as the pulley and shaft 64 which passes through the stufling box 63.

It will be obvious that as the screw 59 is operated the gravel will be gradually carried over to the opening 62 where it will be picked up by the flow of liquid through the pipe 53 to be discharged into the well. A valve 52 controls the discharge of the stream of liquid and divided ma terial into the transfer piping system at 48 and the hose 5|. By regulation of the valve 56, and the operation of the screw feed 59, the desired ratio of liquid and divided material may be passed into the transfer piping. The curves of the piping are gradual as at 48 and 58 so that there will be no possibility of the gravel settling out of the stream of liquid because of sharp change in direction and the gradual curves permit the high velocity of the stream of liquid.

The well casing is indicated at H and is of theusual type except for the special section II which is provided with the outstanding apron |6' through which the transfer piping 25 extends. The lower end of this piping is the pipe section 23 which terminates in the beveled or discharge end 24. The end 24 discharges into the producing formation H which is directly below a cap rocl; or other formation. I

The apron l6 may be formed in the same manner as described in connection with the outlet I49 in Figures 11 and 12. In any event it is so arranged that the pipe 23 may be passed therethrough.

The well pipe or casing is located in the well bore l3 and has a strainer |2 on the lowerend of the casing so that the fluid flowing from the formation will be strained.

The tubing or development pipe 28 is inserted in the casing and is shown as extending down into the screen and being provided with a pair of packers above and below a strainer portion 26.

The upper packer 2| is spaced from the lower packer 21 'so that a chamber is formed inside of the screen |2 with the openings 30 in the tubing disposed between the .two packer members. The packers are made up of a core such as 28 and a resilient packing or sealing element 29. With this construction suction may be exerted in the tubing 20 to create a suction on the perforations 30 to draw either the carrier liquid or the liquid which chamber such as 34.

is being produced from the well into the tubing. The tubing extends upwardly through the casing and is provided with a closure head 20a. Extending from the-head 20a is the flow line which carries the valve '15. A suction line is also connected to the piping adjacent the head 20a, this piping being indicated at 16 and controlled by a valve 11. If desired, either a pressure or a suction may be exerted on the tubing by applying a pressure or a suction to this pipe 16.

Connected to the head 20a is the stufiing-box 12 which wals the pipe 10. This pipeextends down inside the tubing and its lower end is indicated at 13. A valve 1| controls the flow through this pipe 10. If desired, suction may be exerted 15 upon this pipe in order to withdraw the carrier liquid or the liquid from the producing formation when the device is applied to more or less shallow wells.

In order that the pipe 23 may be projected through the apron I6 a guide block such as 22 may be positioned on the tubing 29. This block is shown as being carried by the tubing and is provided with a spring arm 36 which serves to direct the pipe 23 out through the opening IS in the side of the casing beneath the apron l6. With this form of the-device the tubing 20 and pipe 25 will be lowered'simultaneously with. the parts in the full line position of Fig. 3. In setting the device the pipes are lowered until the finger 36 is opposite the opening |6 or thereabouts and the tubing rotated until the spring snaps into the opening I 6 and the lowering continued so that the finger takes the position of Fig. 3.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 show the details of the construction of the form of the invention shown in s Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the guide 22 with the piping 25 in an inoperative position within the block member or guide 22. The dotted line.position of Fig. 3 illustrates the pipe 25 as 40 being extended through the side of the casing I I.

The guide 22 is made up of the side pieces 3| and 32 which are afflxed to the tubing 20 by means of the welding material 33, and are joined at the bottom by the plate 35. These two side pieces 3| and 32 are spaced apart to form a This chamber receives the guide piece or finger 36, which is anchored to the tubing 20 by the support 46. The finger is held outwardly by means of the supporting spring 4| which extends upwardly as at 40 and is anchored to the tubing 20 by the block 46 and the screws 45. Deposited on top of these springs is the deflecting plate 42 which serves to deflect the 7 lower end of the pipe 25 outwardly through the through the opening l8. The base 35 may limit the inward movement of the finger 36.

The upper end of the guide plate 42 is indicated at 44 and the end 24 of the pipe 25 is positioned against the guide plate 44. When it is desired to extend the pipe 25 it can be raised slightly so that it is withdrawn from behind the guide plate 44 and a slight rotation thereof 'causes the inclined or beveled face to reverse its direction so that when the pipe is again lowered it will slide along the guide plate 42 through the opening l5. The apron l6 and the opening |5 are the same in this form as in the Fig. 1 modification. l

Figs. 6 and '7 show a modified form of the in- I verition wherein the pipe 25 may be run into the afii-xed to the tubing '20 in the form of an clined' guide member'which substantially en- -circles the pipe. This is best seen in Fig. 7 where- *in a space such as 8| is formed by the guide strip so that when the pipe 25 is loweredif the lower end thereof is at a circumferential position other than the opening IS the pipe will be guided around the tubing 20 by the guide strip 80 so that it will be directed through the opening l5.

The'g'uide strip'iill is downwardly inclined and terminates on one side of the tube 20 in the "lower ends 83 so that a substantial trackway is formed. Between the ends 83 the spring finger "pr'ojectsthe same as in the Fig. 1 modification.

Inthis manner thetransfer piping will be directed out through the opening I in a very simple'm'anner.

' While several forms of the invention have been shown and described it is contemplated that any of them may be employed so long as the appara- 'tus is used, for depositing gravel at a suitable location.

- What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for positioning gravel in wells comprising the combination of a well casing, an

opening in the side of said casing,'a gravel discharge pipe extending through'said casing and opening, means to discharge a stream of gravel and carrier liquid into the wellcbore around said *the liquid. I

3. A device for gravellir: wells including a casing, and a strainer through which the carrier liquid may be separated from the gravel.

2. A device for gravelling wells including a gravel discharge pipe, a liquid return pipe, and a screen disposed between the discharge and intake of said pipes to separate the gravel from pipe of small diameter to discharge mixed gravel and liquid into the well at'a high velocity,

" "and an intake pipe in the well of large diameter to gradually draw off the carrier liquid at a slow'velocity whereby the gravel will be deposited in the well bore due to the decrease in velocity of the carrier liq'uid.

4. An apparatus for discharging divided material intowell bores including a casing, a tubing therein, a material discharge pipe in the easing and beside the tubing, an opening in the casing, and means whereby the lower end of said pipe will be directed through said opening.

5. An apparatus for discharging divided ma- :terlal into well bores including a casing, a tubing therein, a material discharge pipe in the casing and beside the tubing, an opening in the casing, and means whereby e lower end of said pipe will be directed through said opening,

' said means includinga guide box fixed on said tubing.

6. A guide box for directing one string of pipe through an opening in another enclosing pipe including a guide plate and finger.

7. A discharge pipe for depositing .gravel in wells in combination with a casing having an opening therein to receive said pipe, and a spring carried by said pipe to bear against the inside of said casing and force said pipethrough said for forcing a flow of fluid through said transfer piping, a container communicating with said transfer piping at an accessible point, and mechanism in said container adapted to move mate- 'rials from said container into said transfer pipincluding a casing having an aperture in the wall thereof, a pipe adapted for extension within said casing, guide means on said pipe consisting of a pair of longitudinal plates spaced apart to provide a trough there-between, an outwardly sloping deflector plate in said trough,'and a depressible member projecting from the lower'portion of said trough for engaging said opening in said casing so as to' align said trough therewith. 12. An apparatus of the character described,

. including a casing having an aperture in the wall thereof, a pipe adapted for extension within said casing, guide means on said pipe near the lower end thereof, a finger associated with said guide means for aligning said guide means with said opening, a transfer conduit to engage said aperture, and a means associated with said guide for directing the lower end of said conduit in a predetermined position relative to said guide means.

13. An apparatus of the character described including a well casing, a, transfer pipe extending into. said casing; means for forcing fluid through said transfer pipe, a feeder for feeding 40 divided solids. to the flow of fluids through said transfer pipe, a screen in the well through which the fluid is strained to separate the divided solids, and a development pipe extending into the well whereby a return flow may be vhad from said screen.

14. An apparatus for positioning gravel in wells comprising the-combination of a well pipe, an

opening through said pipe, a gravel discharge pipe extending into said well'pipe to said opening,

means to discharge a stream of gravel and carrier liquid into the well borethrough said discharge pipe, and a; strainer through which thecarrier Liquid may pass to leave the gravel in the well ore. e

15. An apparatus of the character described, includinga casing having an aperture in the wall thereof, a. pipe adapted for extension within said casing, guide means on said pipe near the lower end thereof, a finger associated with said guide means for aligning said guide means with said opening, a transfer conduit, and a means associated with said guide for directing the lower end of said conduit in 'a predetermined position relative to said guide means during the lowerifi'gTT of said conduit into said-casing whereby the conduit will be directed through the aperture.

16. An apparatus of the character described, including a pipe disposed in a well bore, a transfer piping extending into the well bore, means for forcing a flow of fluid through said transfer piping, a container communicating with said trans.- fer piping at an accessible point, and mechanism in said container adapted to move materials from said container into said transfer piping.

1'7. An apparatus of the character described, including a casing having an opening in the side thereof, a transfer piping extending into said casing and to said opening, means for forcing a flpw of fluid through said transfer piping, a container communicating with said transfer piping at an accessible point, and mechanism in said "container adapted to move materials from said container into said transfer piping.

18. A device for gravelling wells including a combination liquid and gravel discharge pipe,

- a liquid return pipe, and a means disposed between the discharge and intake of said pipes to a liquid and gravel discharge pipe, a liquid return pipe, said pipes being of different sizes so that the flow through said liquid return pipe will be slower so that the gravel will settle out by gravity.

21. An apparatus for gravelling wells including a liquid andgravel discharge pipe, a liquid return pipe, said pipes being of different sizes so that the flow through said liquid return pipe will be slower so that the gravel will settle out by gravity, the ends of said pipes being spaced apart so that the discharge is about the intake of the return pipe.

22. An apparatus of the character described, including a well casing, a transfer pipe extending into said casing, means for forcing fluid through said transfer pipe, a feeder for adding divided solids to the flow of fluids through said transfer pipe, a development pipe extended into the well, and a pair of spaced packers on said dein velopment pipe,

LESLIE A. LAYNE. 

